Teacher’s Brain

Top 10 Must-Have Classroom Resources for a Successful Back-to-School Season

As the new school year approaches, I know many of us are busy preparing our classrooms to create an engaging and productive learning environment. Trust me when I say, that finding the right back-to-school resources can make all the difference in setting the tone for a successful year! 

Whether you’re looking for effective classroom management tools or creative classroom decor ideas, I’ve curated a list of ten essential resources to help you get started. These resources are designed to streamline your classroom setup and enhance your management strategies, ensuring a smooth transition back to school!

back to school resources

How do teachers prepare for back to school? Check out these ideas! 

Classroom Daily Visual Schedule EDITABLE Cards BOHO RAINBOW Classroom Decor

back to school resources classroom schedule resource

Need a way to help your class transition to the next task and display your schedule for all to see easily? I have you covered with this editable BOHO-style PowerPoint! Use these cards on a pocket chart, wall, or magnetic board to easily edit and move your schedule around. Allow students to take a card to the next task if they have trouble transitioning.

Daily Behavior Charts | EDITABLE Data Graph Tracking Sheets Contracts

back to school resource behavior chart

Looking for PRE-MADE Editable behavior charts for your little ones to easily manage their behavior goals? I have just what YOU NEED. Included are editable behavior contracts, data-collecting graphs to chart progress, a poster about Big Problems & Little Problems, and MORE.

BLURT BEANS Classroom Management Tools | EDITABLE

classroom management system for back to school

Are you tired of your being interrupted by kids who have a BAD case of the BLURTS? I have you covered with this editable PowerPoint and GOOGLE Slides! Use these slides to personalize editable text boxes to create a Blurt Bean classroom management system that works! 

EDITABLE Classroom Jobs Chart With Pictures or Without

classroom jobs resource for back to school

Need a way to help your class transition to new classroom jobs and display your job chart for all to see easily? I have you covered with this editable PowerPoint! Use these cards on a pocket chart, wall, or magnetic board to easily edit and rotate your students to new jobs. 

All About Me Google Slides | Star Student 

Are you looking for a great way to do a virtual or in-person All About Me Activity? I have you covered with these editable Google Slides to easily personalize to make your Back to School first impression AMAZING. There are colorful slides for the digital virtual version or black and white for the easy print and go in-person.

SUBSTITUTE Binder Templates | Google Slides | Emergency Sub Plans Editable

substitute plans for back to school

Don’t be caught off guard without sub-plans this year! Have a SUB HUB TUB at your fingertips for the next time you are out of school to help you have peace of mind. Use the ink-friendly printables to edit with your personal information or the editable Google Slides link provided for the digital version.

 Meet the Teacher Template Editable | Virtual OPEN HOUSE | Google Slides

meet the teacher open house back to school resource

Are you looking for a great way to do a virtual or in-person Meet the Teacher or Open House this year? I have you covered with these editable Google Slides to easily personalize to make your Back to School first impression AMAZING.

EDITABLE Birthday Chart Display Cards | Boho Rainbow Classroom Decor

classroom birthday chart

Need a way to display your student’s birthdays for all to see easily? I have you covered with this editable PowerPoint, black and white templates, or boho rainbow options! Use these cards on a pocket chart, wall, or magnetic board to easily edit and move around. 

Positive Affirmations Mirror Black and White Cards | EDITABLE

positive affirmation station

Looking for a classic positive affirmation station set that easily can fit into any classroom theme or home? You will find pre-made cards, editable cards, and different titles to place around a mirror in your classroom or to include at an affirmation station.

Brain Breaks Printable Cards for the Classroom | EDITABLE Google Slides

brain breaks for back to school

This is my favorite collection of 48 different Brain Breaks. These task cards can be used as transitions, breaks during an activity, something to raise or lower the energy of the group, team-building activities, and so much more!

I hope these resources help you have a fabulous and smooth start to the new school year! 

For more classroom management tips, check out my post here! You can also check out my classroom organization tips here.  

5 Tangible Tips For Highly Effective Classroom Management

Dreaming of a classroom management plan or classroom management strategies that actually work? You’re not alone! There’s nothing that interrupts the flow of a good day like disruptive behaviors from your students. 

The key to smoother, easier, more productive days in elementary, in my opinion, is effective behavior management in the classroom. 

If you’re looking for classroom management ideas to help you get started on the path to a classroom that runs like a well oiled machine, you’re in the right place! 

classroom management tips

Here are 5 tangible tips for a highly effective classroom management: 

Create a Visual Schedule

Develop a clear and visual daily schedule that is prominently displayed in the classroom. Use pictures, icons, or color-coding to help younger students understand the routine. A visual schedule helps students anticipate transitions and activities, reducing anxiety and minimizing disruptions.

Utilize Behavior Charts

Implement a behavior chart system (like the one linked below!) to track and reinforce positive behavior. Create a chart with different levels or categories, and move students’ names or markers based on their behavior throughout the day. Recognize and reward students who consistently demonstrate positive behavior. This visual representation provides students with a concrete understanding of their progress.

Implement a Signal System

Establish a set of signals or cues to communicate expectations and transitions. For example, you might use a bell, a hand signal, or a specific phrase to indicate when it’s time to begin an activity, wrap up, or refocus. Consistent signals help create a sense of order and make transitions smoother.

Designate Clear Learning Spaces

Organize your classroom into distinct learning spaces for different activities. Clearly define areas for group work, independent study, and whole-class instruction. This not only helps manage noise levels but also signals to students the type of behavior expected in each area. Consistent use of these spaces establishes a structured environment.

Establish a Classroom Jobs System

Assign specific responsibilities to students by implementing a classroom jobs system. This fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility. Rotate jobs regularly to give students the opportunity to take on different roles. Jobs can include line leader, classroom helper, or materials manager. This not only contributes to classroom management but also instills a sense of community and cooperation.

Remember, building a positive and well-managed classroom takes time and ongoing effort. Be patient, be consistent, and be open to adjusting your strategies based on the needs of your students.

Looking for a classroom management resource that you can use to get your classroom on track? Check out my Daily Behavior Charts resource! 

classroom management

This pre-made editable behavior chart for your little ones will help easily manage their behavior goals. Included are editable behavior contracts, data-collecting graphs to chart progress, a poster about Big Problems & Little Problems, and more! 

classroom management resource

Here’s what’s included: 

Chart for one Goal (All editable with text boxes)

Graph for one goal

Graph for second goal (You will use graphs 1 and 2)

Chart for Three Goals

Graph for Third Goal (You will use graphs 1, 2, and 3)

Two Types of Behavior Contracts to Use with the Charts.

Half Page Color the Smilie Face with Contract and “LIFT” Chart to Graph Data for Five Weeks

Big Problem Poster

Big Problem Half Page Chart (You can have them color each square or give stamps or stickers when they react appropriately to a problem.)

Sticker Chart and Graph

Stamp Chart and Graph

Daily Smiley Behavior Chart (pre-made and one editable)

Green, Yellow, and Red Lights (Student colors the type of day they had.)

Various Certificates for Good Work

For more classroom management tips, check out my post here! 

What are your favorite classroom management tips? Share with me in the comments!

Why You Need A Visual Schedule In Elementary

We all know how important it is to get our students in a good routine for a smooth running classroom. Students thrive when they know what to expect for their day. 

Studies show that a good routine helps with behavior management issues in the classroom. It also helps your students feel more safe with the consistency that it brings. 

When I was in the classroom at the start of the year, I tried to ensure that I go over the schedule and break down the entire day for my students. This included what we do when we come in for the day, what subjects we work on when, when we transition to lunch and specials, how we transition to lunch and specials, and the pickup/ going home procedures. 

I found it to be beneficial to have a visual for younger students who may need extra help remembering the daily schedule and procedures. 

visual schedule

I created this Classroom Visual Daily Schedule to help smooth out the transitions and give students the peace of mind that comes with knowing what comes next every day. 

visual schedule

 You can use these cards on a pocket chart, wall, or magnetic board to easily edit and move your schedule around. You can even allow students to take a card to the next task if they have trouble transitioning.

This resource is a digital, editable PowerPoint so you can edit it to fit your needs. You can also personalize it if desired! 

visual schedule

Here’s everything I included

  • 42 editable PowerPoint slides (*Make sure you have PowerPoint)
  • Black and White with Clocks (moveable hands and text boxes provided)
  • Cursive and print for intermediate or primary classrooms
  • Blank cards
  • Directions with suggested fonts
  • Pictures cards include ( A+, apple, backpack, chalkboard, books, bell, lunch, milk, glue, globe, clock, crayons, owl, grad hat, paint pallet, paintbrush, bookworm, bus, pencil, pen, check, bell, stars, scissors, beaker, music, paper airplane, protractor, data journal, music, magnets, locker, glasses, light bulb, ruler, flask, heart, sun, tent, music notes, tie, flashlight, plant, tie, test tube)

I would put these at the front of the classroom on the board or in our Calendar Time area. I noticed how much of a difference it made in my students when we had a clear, easy-to-understand schedule. 

What do you do to teach students your daily schedule? Let me know in the comments!

visual schedule

 

Desk Pets: A Classroom Management System Students Will Love!

Among the many academic subjects we teach our students, we also teach them so much more that goes beyond that. They learn how to follow rules, make friends, be kind, be responsible, respectful, make good choices, and so much more. 

Positive reinforcement is a great way to celebrate this behavior. It will encourage the behavior to continue when students are doing a good job. This can be done in many ways but a good classroom management strategy is a fantastic place to start. You can read about one of my favorite strategies, Blurt Beans, here. 

With a good classroom management system, you will not only show students the consequences of their actions when they don’t make the right choice but also encourage and celebrate them when they show that they are responsible, respectful, kind, etc. 

desk pets

If you are looking for the perfect system for your classroom that will get your students excited and motivated to continue to do well, you have to try out Desk Pets. 

Desk Pets are a unique classroom management system that will reward students for their good behavior by giving them “desk pets” to keep on their desks and accessories to go along with them. 

The desk pet is an animal eraser. You can read with it, write with it, or even play with it at designated times of the day. 

desk pets

Here’s how to implement the Desk Pet system into your classroom

To start, students will earn Desk Pet Dollars from your classroom when they are doing a good job, following the rules, helping others, staying on task, showing respect, being responsible, etc.  After they earn their dollars, they then get to spend it to adopt a desk pet of their choosing! 

The desk pet gets to hang out with them at their desk. In order to buy habitats, supplies, and other accessories that will keep the desk pet “happy”, students will need to continue to earn more Desk Pet Dollars. This provides the incentive for them to continue making good choices even after they got to pick out a pet. 

desk pets

Later on in the year, students can even have the option to give their desk pets a permanent home by taking them home (if you choose to). 

When students are not following rules, they may be charged a Desk Pet fee that they have to pay using their earned dollars or their pet may be taken back to the adoption center. 

Students love this system! They can share with their friends what animal they received and what accessories they have to go along with it. This inspires more good behavior because students will want what their friends have. 

desk pets

If you want to get started with Desk Pets, you can do that free with my starter kit here.

It comes with the rules you need to get started. You’ll get an adoption application, a zoo habitat along with instructions on how to set it up, Desk Pet signs, and an editable page for writing prompts.

If you want the full resource, you can check that out here. It comes with all of the printables you need. You’ll get behavior contracts, Venn diagrams, pet store price lists, Desk Pet journals, and more! 

This will definitely be a hit for your students, and it will definitely make you a memorable teacher!